Relevance Of Social Media Marketing In India Unveiled

It was on August 15, 1995 Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) formally launched the Internet for the Indian public. It’s been more than 20 years now and Internet has changed the way India works. It’s in every sphere, be it banking, transportation, shopping, education. Widespread use of internet has opened up substantial amount of knowledge to broad range of people.

Today India, has second largest internet user base after China. 60% of the internet users in India access the Internet via their mobile phones now. Around 40% of world population uses Internet these days. In mid-nineties, it was less than 1%. The first billion was reached in 2005. The second billion in 2010 and the third billion in 2014. Thanks to Smart Phones, which has helped in Internet penetration.

Social Media is one of the Internet usages. It is a platform to connect with the people, promoting products and services, creating brand awareness and collecting consumer feedback. Websites and applications dedicated to forums, microblogging, social networking, social bookmarking, social curation, and wikis are among the different types of social media.

Here are some prominent examples of social media:

Facebook

Facebook is a popular and free social networking website that allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages and keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues. Even a layman can create a facebook group or fan page to connect to the targeted audiences. It might turn out to be a great source to showcase products and offerings.

Twitter

Twitter is a free microblogging service that allows registered members to broadcast short posts called tweets.

Google+

Google+ is Google’s social networking project, designed to replicate the way people interact offline more closely than is the case in other social networking services.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for the business community.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a social curation website for sharing and categorizing images found online.

Social Media Marketing is a form of internet Marketing that utilizes social networking websites to promote products and services of the company. It is a Permission-based Marketing. Gone are the days when companies used to run after clients to sell their products. It is not only limited to selling products or brand promotion but to communicate with the masses. In the last Lok Sabha Election, our Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi used Social Media to stay connected with citizens of India.Narendra Modi has third largest followers on twitter after Mr Amitabh Bachan and Mr Shahrukh Khan.

Benefits that Narendra Modi Received From a Strategic Social Media Marketing

PM could touch about 12 crore first-time voters.

United previous voters of the party.

Spread out party’s policies among public.

Create faith in populace about the party’s idea of growth.

Inspire youth to participate.

Today, almost all the political parties are connected with the Indian citizens via social media websites.

Social Media marketing is being used effectively by politicians, sports personalities and Bollywood celebrities to stay in touch with their audiences.

Social Media Marketing is helping job seekers to find their jobs. A Job seeker can market himself and can find a suitable job with Social Media Marketing. Statistics has proved that 50% of the recruiters are using search engines to search the potential job Seekers. Through Facebook profiles employers can confirm job seekers identities and expertise.

Social Media Marketing is very beneficial for the businesses. Earlier business owners used to spend majority of their funds on traditional advertising. With Social Media marketing the expenditure on advertising has reduced. You can reach large number of targeted audience with lesser expenses and leaving greater impact than traditional sources. Even a small business with zero advertising budget can advertise free of cost. Business owner can also take the feedback about the products which they are going to launch by conducting online surveys, Feedback can also be taken from the customer about the existing products and he services. In this way you can engage your customers. Consumers can also express their grievances giving entrepreneurs a chance to correct themselves which in turn helps them increasing their business volumes. Study after study has shown that consumers appreciate companies that respond to customer complaints instantly. Customers also get a chance to rate companies or its product and services. In turn, it becomes crucial for companies to pay attention towards their customers.

All of you must have heard the Song ‘Why This Kolaveri D’ sung by actor Dhanush. Song gain so much popularity because of its Social Media Marketing campaign on Twitter and Youtube.

Relevance of Social Media Marketing cannot be undermined. It has become “Must” to increase the reach and in turn, to flourish the business. Those businesses which are using Social Media Marketing Technology always have cutting edge over the ones who do not use social media marketing.